T1036.006: Space after Filename
Essential information
- MITRE technique ID
T1036.006- Confidence
- 100/100
- Revoked
- No
- Published
- 16/12/2025 19:38
- Modified
- 27/03/2026 01:12
- Author / Source
- The MITRE Corporation
Aliases
T1036.006
Platforms
macos linux
Description
Adversaries can hide a program's true filetype by changing the extension of a file. With certain file types (specifically this does not work with .app extensions), appending a space to the end of a filename will change how the file is processed by the operating system.
For example, if there is a Mach-O executable file called `evil.bin`, when it is double clicked by a user, it will launch Terminal.app and execute. If this file is renamed to `evil.txt`, then when double clicked by a user, it will launch with the default text editing application (not executing the binary). However, if the file is renamed to `evil.txt ` (note the space at the end), then when double clicked by a user, the true file type is determined by the OS and handled appropriately and the binary will be executed (Citation: Mac Backdoors are back).
Adversaries can use this feature to trick users into double clicking benign-looking files of any format and ultimately executing something malicious.
Kill chain phases
| Kill chain | Phase |
|---|---|
| mitre-attack | defense-evasion |
Marking (TLP)
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